Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill
Overview
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, health boards were required to compensate people who they asked to self-isolate due to an infectious disease. This was required by the Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.
The Coronavirus Act 2020 changed this. The 2020 Act let health boards decide whether people who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 received compensation under the 2008 Act. The relevant provision of the 2020 Act will expire in March 2022.
This Bill would change the law so that health boards will still have the option to provide compensation. However, they will not be obliged to do so, to anyone they ask to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
The law will apply until 31 October 2022. The Bill allows for the Scottish Government to reduce or extend that period if required.
Coronavirus (Discretionary Compensation for Self-isolation) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (177KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021
The Bill was passed on 09 February 2022 and became an Act on 23 March 2022
Contents
Overview
The Coronavirus Act 2020 changed this. The 2020 Act let health boards decide whether people who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 received compensation under the 2008 Act. The relevant provision of the 2020 Act will expire in March 2022.
This Bill would change the law so that health boards will still have the option to provide compensation. However, they will not be obliged to do so, to anyone they ask to self-isolate due to COVID-19.
The law will apply until 31 October 2022. The Bill allows for the Scottish Government to reduce or extend that period if required.
Read more about this in the explanatory notes. (117KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021
Why the Bill was created
When the relevant provision of the Coronavirus Act 2020 expires, health boards will be required to fully compensate people they ask to self-isolate with COVID-19. This Bill will allow health boards to have a choice over whether they do this.
Read more about this in the policy memorandum (187KB, pdf) posted 15 November 2021